Not knowing?

[brendenseth]

I know quite a few people that are committing and have committed a mortal sin. I know we’re not supposed to judge, I feel like saying something to them but they won’t listen to me I know this. If someone commits a mortal sin but is not aware of it do they still go to hell? I know no one knows the real answer only God can decide but what should I do? Besides pray for them which I continually do.

 

[UpUpAndAway]

In order for a sin to be mortal, the one committing it has to know it’s grave matter. There is no such thing as committing a mortal sin without being aware of it.

 

[Evania]

I know quite a few people that are committing and have committed a mortal sin. I know we’re not supposed to judge, I feel like saying something to them but they won’t listen to me I know this. If someone commits a mortal sin but is not aware of it do they still go to hell? I know no one knows the real answer only God can decide but what should I do? Besides pray for them which I continually do.

Like the previous poster noted, they have to be aware of the grave matter in order for their sin to be mortal.

I know that our society sees any sort of correction as judgemental, but it’s a spiritual work of mercy to “admonish the sinner”. Keep in mind that when we do, we must always present it full of love and mercy, keeping in mind our own sinfulness, and never in a way that would push others away from the message of Christ. As St. Paul said in 1 Cor 19-22, he became all things to all men (except in sin) in order that “by all means save some.” He states, “I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”
I think it’s admirable that you are looking out for your friends spiritual welfare. I wish I had friends like you when I was younger. Friends like that are more precious than gold.

 

[mikekle]

In order for a sin to be mortal, the one committing it has to know it’s grave matter. There is no such thing as committing a mortal sin without being aware of it.

I dont know about that, I mean, look at some fanatical terrorists, they truly believe they are doing whats right, by killing the infidels, whether it be women or children, makes no difference to them, they believe they will be rewarded for these actions upon their death, but to others, what they are doing is very much gravely evil and sinful, so does it depend on the persons beliefs or…??

Probably comes down to how you were brought up, if your parents kept reinforcing the belief that all christians are evil and should be killed, its a pretty good chance, when you grow up, that is going to heavily influence what type of person you become.

 

[Evania]

I dont know about that, I mean, look at some fanatical terrorists, they truly believe they are doing whats right, by killing the infidels, whether it be women or children, makes no difference to them, they believe they will be rewarded for these actions upon their death, but to others, what they are doing is very much gravely evil and sinful, so does it depend on the persons beliefs or…??

Probably comes down to how you were brought up, if your parents kept reinforcing the belief that all christians are evil and should be killed, its a pretty good chance, when you grow up, that is going to heavily influence what type of person you become.

That’s a very good point.

I came across something from Jimmy Akins that would be able to help clear this up a little bit. It has a lot of info for the OP and it explains the lack of knowledge aspect of a mortal sin.

jimmyakin.com/2006/12/assessing_morta.html

 

[Confiteor_Deo]

They aren’t committing a mortal sin if they are ignorant of the gravity of their actions, but that doesn’t mean we just leave them in ignorance since mortal sins are certainly not good for us even without culpability. If you perceive a time in which there is the chance that they will be receptive if you admonish them, then you should speak up. Other than that, you should continue to pray and set a good example.

 

[UpUpAndAway]

I dont know about that, I mean, look at some fanatical terrorists, they truly believe they are doing whats right, by killing the infidels, whether it be women or children, makes no difference to them, they believe they will be rewarded for these actions upon their death, but to others, what they are doing is very much gravely evil and sinful, so does it depend on the persons beliefs or…??

Probably comes down to how you were brought up, if your parents kept reinforcing the belief that all christians are evil and should be killed, its a pretty good chance, when you grow up, that is going to heavily influence what type of person you become.

I would think the emphasized part potentially reduces culpability, so those perpetrating such killing might not have full knowledge (what Jimmy Akin describes as “adequate knowledge” in the article linked to above by Evania) that what they are doing is gravely wrong. Since full knowledge is one of the criteria needed for grave matter to be mortal sin, the action in this case—while still grave matter—would not necessarily constitute mortal sin.

The Church knows this can be the case for anyone, including those who aren’t Catholic or even Christian. Jimmy Akin, again from the article linked to above:

…] the Church has become much more sensitive to the role of education and cultural conditioning in forming peoples’ consciences, such that many more people than were previously thought are recognized as being innocently ignorant of the objective moral character of their acts.

So while grave matter is objectively wrong, whether or not that grave matter is mortal sin depends upon a lot more than it being objectively wrong.

 

[brendenseth]

I originally asked because I know the main reason people are going to hell is for sexual reasons. We have friends and family that have had vasectomies/tubes tied, and I feel bad for them. I wonder can someone who commits these sins get into heaven? I don’t know about right away, I think maybe they get even longer in purgatory. I know getting into heaven is like threading a needle, and I don’t pretend to know who can get there.

 

[djames99]

They aren’t committing a mortal sin if they are ignorant of the gravity of their actions, but that doesn’t mean we just leave them in ignorance since mortal sins are certainly not good for us even without culpability. If you perceive a time in which there is the chance that they will be receptive if you admonish them, then you should speak up. Other than that, you should continue to pray and set a good example.

God gave man a conscience. This needed to be honed in order to serve the person properly. He needed to heed the warnings given to him through grace. In this way the conscience was oriented to right choices. As far as evils are concerned, there are what’s called intrinsic evils. These are always evil regardless of circumstances. We recall Caine slew Able, and God held him accountable. Caine was not without support in making decisions, he had his conscience, which would have been perfected by his response to graces sent to him. He could have received this by his attitude to prayer, and established an ongoing relationship with his God.